[Politics] Brighton & Hove City Council Elections- 2023 Edition

[BrightonCottager]

There are a lot of similarities between Green and Labour - I know this as an ex-member of Labour and current Green member. Labour (& even the Tories) have nicked Green policies over the years. I personally think it will be a close run thing as the Greens have had to deal with running the city at a time of covid and cuts so will naturally be blamed for stuff which wasn't their fault. I personally feel that a Green / Labour agreement to work together on certain issues (social services, housing, education) is the right way to go.



As far as recycling rates are concerned, the Greens are hamstrung by the deal signed with Veolia that make food waste almost impossible to collect and limits the amount of plastic that can be recycled and the laziness/ignorance of residents who don't put the right things in the right box. The answer to that is a nationally consistent scheme - promised years ago by the Government.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Lab: 26 (20)
Grn: 19 (19)
Con: 11 (14)
Imd: 1 (1)

(brackets indicate the 2019 results)

So would just be short for Labour.

 

[Chicken Run]

Lab: 26 (20)
Grn: 19 (19)
Con: 11 (14)
Imd: 1 (1)

(brackets indicate the 2019 results)

So would just be short for Labour.

I always find your posts insightful, are you suggesting that the Greens won’t lose cllrs or alternatively you are but think they’ll gain some?

 

[Chicken Run]

There are a lot of similarities between Green and Labour - I know this as an ex-member of Labour and current Green member. Labour (& even the Tories) have nicked Green policies over the years. I personally think it will be a close run thing as the Greens have had to deal with running the city at a time of covid and cuts so will naturally be blamed for stuff which wasn't their fault. I personally feel that a Green / Labour agreement to work together on certain issues (social services, housing, education) is the right way to go.



As far as recycling rates are concerned, the Greens are hamstrung by the deal signed with Veolia that make food waste almost impossible to collect and limits the amount of plastic that can be recycled and the laziness/ignorance of residents who don't put the right things in the right box. The answer to that is a nationally consistent scheme - promised years ago by the Government.

So you’re suggesting that the appalling recycling rates has zero to do with the Greens and it’s everyone else’s fault including in part the residents?

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

I always find your posts insightful, are you suggesting that the Greens won’t lose cllrs or alternatively you are but think they’ll gain some?

That's very kind, thank you! I think they will in some places, but gain in others. In Goldsmid last time, the Greens came within 87 votes of getting a second seat. However, they won a seat from Labour in Hollingdean & Stanmer by 6!!! votes. Then you've got another split ward, like Queens Park.

The boundary changes will make a big difference as well, especially when seats are won by handfuls of votes, so it will be interesting. As Brighton & Hove, is generally a left-wing city will they still vote for Labour who have shifted to the right - further so than the city, or will the Greens benefit from that?

A test will be somewhere like Central Hove, the Greens came within 40 votes last time, but Peter Kyle is popular as an MP. They are the sort of seats the Greens need to be looking at.

 

[Weststander]

There are a lot of similarities between Green and Labour - I know this as an ex-member of Labour and current Green member. Labour (& even the Tories) have nicked Green policies over the years. I personally think it will be a close run thing as the Greens have had to deal with running the city at a time of covid and cuts so will naturally be blamed for stuff which wasn't their fault. I personally feel that a Green / Labour agreement to work together on certain issues (social services, housing, education) is the right way to go.



As far as recycling rates are concerned, the Greens are hamstrung by the deal signed with Veolia that make food waste almost impossible to collect and limits the amount of plastic that can be recycled and the laziness/ignorance of residents who don't put the right things in the right box. The answer to that is a nationally consistent scheme - promised years ago by the Government.

They just won't. The politicians and two parties at a local level really don't like each other. With petty point scoring at every opportunity, rubbishing past policies of the other's administration.

Totally agree. In this supposedly nice suburb many folk with just 2 to 4 occupants wrangled it to get the extra large refuse bins and almost can't be bothered to use the others. Selfishness, not a care in the world about the planet.

 

[studio150]

Given that local elections always have a low turnout, with the need for ID to vote I am fully expecting the lowest turnout for decades. We will therefore be represented by whatever group that possibly 90% of local residents didn't vote for.

 

[Chicken Run]

Given that local elections always have a low turnout, with the need for ID to vote I am fully expecting the lowest turnout for decades. We will therefore be represented by whatever group that possibly 90% of local residents didn't vote for.

Well I’d say anyone moaning that they didn’t get the representation they would like and didn’t make the effort to vote then tough shit! Yes I know you’ll throw the ID situation at me but if they really wanted to influence then they’d sort it out!!

 

[Chicken Run]

That's very kind, thank you! I think they will in some places, but gain in others. In Goldsmid last time, the Greens came within 87 votes of getting a second seat. However, they won a seat from Labour in Hollingdean & Stanmer by 6!!! votes. Then you've got another split ward, like Queens Park.

The boundary changes will make a big difference as well, especially when seats are won by handfuls of votes, so it will be interesting. As Brighton & Hove, is generally a left-wing city will they still vote for Labour who have shifted to the right - further so than the city, or will the Greens benefit from that?

A test will be somewhere like Central Hove, the Greens came within 40 votes last time, but Peter Kyle is popular as an MP. They are the sort of seats the Greens need to be looking at.

Don’t underestimate the harm that the Yellow bus bod and his wife have done to their faithful with their second homes and childcare claims, also there is a large movement in Hanover pushing back against the Greens over their traffic plans up there!!!

I know a few traditional Tory voters who want anything but Greens who will vote Labour as the only realistic chance of getting rid of them!!

 

[herecomesaregular]

So you’re suggesting that the appalling recycling rates has zero to do with the Greens and it’s everyone else’s fault including in part the residents?

Doesn't matter who the Council is they are hamstrung by a 30 year contract with Veolia from 2003 that limits what can be recycled. Unless you expect the Council to pay up that contract to then be able to sign a new one elsewhere? Likewise, neither Conservatives, Labour nor Greens have been able to battle successfully against the strength of the Unions re waste collection and recycling collection. Successive councils have made a mess of it all (pun intended).

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Random thoughts on this.

Not much difference policy-wise and ideologically between labour and green voters in this area, so I wouldn't expect the politicians on both sides to be acting all popular front of Judea (if that reference isn't too unfortunate) and to be working together and alongside MP's in the interests of the city

We need a grown up conversation about cycle lanes and travel generally that doesn't automatically set people into tribes taking aim at each other.

Nothing can be done on recycling rates unfortunately. A terrible long term contract was signed.

Whoever gets in, has to make crap choices about cuts. The central government grant has been hugely reduced over the years. It's they who are to blame, if your local library, public toilet, playground is closed

 

[Gwylan]

That's very kind, thank you! I think they will in some places, but gain in others. In Goldsmid last time, the Greens came within 87 votes of getting a second seat. However, they won a seat from Labour in Hollingdean & Stanmer by 6!!! votes. Then you've got another split ward, like Queens Park.

That's my ward. I reckon that the Greens will struggle to hold that, the retiring Green councillor was pretty useless and two Labour ones for the ward are really active. There are more students moving to the area, that may help the Green vote, but students don't vote in large numbers, so I'd be surprised if it made any difference.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Random thoughts on this.

Not much difference policy-wise and ideologically between labour and green voters in this area, so I wouldn't expect the politicians on both sides to be acting all popular front of Judea (if that reference isn't too unfortunate) and to be working together and alongside MP's in the interests of the city

We need a grown up conversation about cycle lanes and travel generally that doesn't automatically set people into tribes taking aim at each other.

Nothing can be done on recycling rates unfortunately. A terrible long term contract was signed.

Whoever gets in, has to make crap choices about cuts. The central government grant has been hugely reduced over the years. It's they who are to blame, if your local library, public toilet, playground is closed

Well put. Local government is a poisoned chalice at the moment given the egregious cuts from central government. Whoever ends up making the decisions is doing so with both hands tied behind their back.

 

[Brovion]

Doesn't matter who the Council is they are hamstrung by a 30 year contract with Veolia from 2003 that limits what can be recycled. Unless you expect the Council to pay up that contract to then be able to sign a new one elsewhere? Likewise, neither Conservatives, Labour nor Greens have been able to battle successfully against the strength of the Unions re waste collection and recycling collection. Successive councils have made a mess of it all (pun intended).

Blimey. I've moaned about recycling in the city before and this is first time I've ever heard of a restrictive 30 year contract. However I'm going to say - no excuse. Why hasn't any council since then ever at least tried to push back? Why haven't they tried to shame Veolia into re-negotiating, especially given all the government's 'net zero' ambitions and the advances in recycling technology? Why haven't they even publicised it as a/main reason why they can't improve recycling? Thirty years does seem a very long time for a contract, but then I don't work in waste management so perhaps it's standard. Anyway, yeah probably easier to blame intransigent, greedy unions and lazy, stupid residents.

 

[sparkie]

@Wokeworrier's Dad @Steve Foster has been round knocking at my door this time

Was JCFG tagging along too ?

 

[keaton]

Blimey. I've moaned about recycling in the city before and this is first time I've ever heard of a restrictive 30 year contract. However I'm going to say - no excuse. Why hasn't any council since then ever at least tried to push back? Why haven't they tried to shame Veolia into re-negotiating, especially given all the government's 'net zero' ambitions and the advances in recycling technology? Why haven't they even publicised it as a/main reason why they can't improve recycling? Thirty years does seem a very long time for a contract, but then I don't work in waste management so perhaps it's standard. Anyway, yeah probably easier to blame intransigent, greedy unions and lazy, stupid residents.

Caroline Lucas calls for action in Brighton recycling row

Green party MP presses Veolia to accept more plastic waste

www.theguardian.com

 

[Brovion]

Caroline Lucas calls for action in Brighton recycling row

Green party MP presses Veolia to accept more plastic waste

www.theguardian.com

That article is depressing. Is that it? Just a few stiff letters four years ago? I wonder what the response was from Brighton Council? I read the Guardian every day (although admittedly I missed that article) and I don't remember there being any ongoing campaign or even any follow-up.

Anyway, it's obviously not a priority.

 

[WATFORD zero]

@SteveF told me (a visit, the same day as @WATFORD zero had one) that the fog bullshitter represents or wants to Hangleton.

Unfortunately I was out when he knocked on my door so didn't have the chance of a chat about his political beliefs and philosophy. I guess I'll just have to decide based on his political postings on here

Yes I voted for Boris. Think he will be a good Prime Minister & bring a smile to the nation. Was a decent Mayor & spearheading the London Olympics

A deal has been done !

Well done Boris.

A deal has been done. We keep our sovereignty, to be able to make our own rules & laws with no tariffs.

Fantastic news to end a tough year

Think you will find the whole country will be better off now we have a deal, both monetary & in contentment. I voted remain but that was a mistake having listened to Osborne - the majority were right to vote for Brexit, I see that now.
Let’s all get behind the PM. Even Starmer & Farage have begrudgingly done so. We have a bright & prosperous future in front of us.

Our economy is at the start of a boom. There is an awful lot of cash & private equity money waiting to be invested in IT/new tech businesses. Not the time to be opening a clothes shop on the high street I grant you, but the UK will do very well in the next 3 years.

Disagree. Small employers make up two-thirds of the UK’s GDP.

The Government have done the right thing to stimulate growth.
As an employer it will help us & we will take on a further two employees.

A truly inspiring budget. In Liz we trust

I think my vote may still be up for grabs

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Double post.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

That's interesting, thanks! I think the boundary changes here, with the new ward, (which includes the stadium!) will be really interesting